MAJOR ROW OVER MINOR WELCOME
THERE has been widespread outrage from Kerry supporters at the decision not to provide an official homecoming for Kerry’s ‘ three-in-arow’ minor heroes on Monday night.
While the dynamic young side took Croke Park by storm on Sunday, winning widespread plaudits, the young charges won’t receive an official homecoming until October 2. Supporters took to social media this week to criticise the county board’s decision.
Meanwhile, Kerry Minor Manager Peter Keane said the decision not to have an official homecoming on Monday was beyond his remit.
“It’s something beyond our control really. My role was to try and win an All-Ireland for Kerry. That was our main focus and the rest of what goes on is down to the county board and outside our control,” he said.
IT was a historic moment for the Kerry minors, a three-in-a-row for a team that had endured 20 barren years.
But hardly had the joy and euphoria following Sunday’s All-Ireland win had time to settle when news came through that there would be no official homecoming on Monday night for Kerry’s newest GAA heroes.
Hundreds of die-hard supporters took to social media to vent their anger. Meanwhile, an official statement from the county board revealed that the official celebration would be be placed on ice with the heroes to be paraded at Fitzgerald Stadium on October 2 at a key county championship quarter-final double bill.
The statment didn’t satisfy many and the controversy has rumbled on.
Meanwhile, Kerry minor manager, Peter Keane, has said the decision not to have an official homecoming for the victorious Kerry minors was “not a team decision” and was beyond his remit as manager of the team.
“It wasn’t the team’s decision not to have a homecoming and it’s something beyond our control really. My role was to try and win an All-Ireland for Kerry. That was our main focus and the rest of what goes on is down to the county board and outside our control,” Peter said.
Last night there were celebrations in Kenmare – organised by Kenmare GAA – where team captain Séan O’Shea hails from.
However, many feel they have been denied an opportunity to show their gratitude. Rathmore has always been the first port of call for Kerry teams down through the years and people there are disappointed too.
Even though the team travelled by coach to Dublin last weekend, Rathmore Chairman, Donal Murphy, said the same was true of 1994 yet the team still came to Rathmore. “I’m slightly perplexed at the decision and from the outside looking in I can’t see why there was no official homecoming. People are genuinely upset there wasn’t one,” said Donal.
Donie O’Leary of the Kerry Supporters Club also expressed dismay. “I’m not sure why there wasn’t a homecoming. I suppose given the fact the seniors weren’t involved could have lessened the chances of the minors having a homecoming,” said Donie.
Cllr Mick Gleeson - a former All-Ireland winner - recalls an occasion when he was Mayor of Killarney that a defeated Kerry minor team received an official homecoming in High Street and the people turned out to welcome them home. “I remember welcoming a losing Kerry minor team to Killarney one year and they travelled through the town in an open top bus and many people came out on that occasion to cheer them home. I understand people’s disappointment, but like most people I’m unaware of the official line.”
There have also been eyebrows raised over the October 2 arrangement as some of the players are expected to be involved in county championship action that day.